Monday, September 26, 2011

More on Libraries Lending Kindle Books

Last week I shared some helpful hints on how to borrow Kindle books from your library. After using the service for several days, I've discovered a few more things.

1. The perks of not having a Wifi Kindle
Initially, I thought it was cumbersome to have a 3G Kindle instead of a Wifi version because getting library books onto my Kindle requires connecting the Kindle to a computer with USB. I realized, however, if I have to manually load these titles onto my Kindle, I also have to manually unload them. Although I no longer have the book checked out,it's still on my Kindle. I am not able to access it from any of the Kindle apps, but I can still enjoy it on my Kindle. Obviously, this feature could be abused. It is nice, though, to have an option to have an "overdue" book if you haven't finished it yet. Different libraries have set different loan periods (happily, mine has switched from 7 to 14 day loans.) For most books, I don't need 14 days to read them. When my turn comes up on some of the bundled packs (I have my eye on the first six books of the Jim Butcher series that checks out as a single e-book), I will need more than 14 days. My mantra: use it, but don't abuse it. Thou shall not hoard your library's e-books.

2. Returning borrowed Kindle books
As I mentioned above, I rarely need 14 days to read a book, and I've already noticed how long the queues are for some titles. The first book I checked out is due tomorrow, but I was already done. I simply logged into my Amazon account to Manage my Kindle and was able to return the book. It's a nice courtesy to your fellow library users and will help more people have access to the books.

What tips have you learned about borrowing Kindle books from your library?

5 comments:

I haven't yet checked out any Kindle books from my library, but am enjoying passing on the information to others who have been waiting for this for a long time. I am also really appreciating the insight on the process that you are sharing with us.

This is interesting! It prompts a couple of questions/comments where I felt Amazon's help was unclear. These are more relevant to WiFi Kindles:

1) Question: does the library patron have to take action to return the book (from the "Manage my Kindle" page? Or does the book just disappear?

2) Comment: If you return the book from the "Manage my Kindle" page, but have wireless turned off, it appears you could continue reading the book on your device (similar to what you described with the 3G device).

So the books don't have a self-destruct feature or countdown internally until they expire? I have a 3G kindle, and that would be awesome if they books could stay around longer than 14 days. I definitely would delete them eventually, but it almost always takes me more than 14 days to finish a book.